Huw Llywelyn Davies was born in Merthyr in February 1945, son to Eic and Beti Davies but was raised in the mining village of Gwaun–Cae-Gurwen in the Swansea Valley after the family moved there when he was 18 months old. After attending the primary school in Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen he went to Pontardawe Grammar School and then to university in Cardiff where he graduated with honours in Welsh. Whilst there he was captain of the rugby team for two terms and was also chosen to the Welsh University Colleges team. He had his first job in Llandovery College succeeding Carwyn James as Head of Welsh and sports teacher. But after 5 years, he changed career path and went into the world of broadcasting with HTV as a correspondent and presenter for the nightly news programme “Y Dydd”.
In 1979, he moved to the BBC to work for Radio Cymru initally to present and give commentary on sport, as well as present programmes for learners, and presented a series of light panel programmes such as Dros Ben Llestri and Dyfal Donc. After launching S4C, he became the main rugby commentator in partnership with the legendary Ray Gravell. They were at the helm for the first international game to be broadcast in Welsh on the television - Wales v England in 1983 - the first of over 300 international games for Huw to comment on during his career. He also went on 5 Lions tours and World Cup 5 times, and won the Welsh Sports Chief Correspondent Award by the Sports Council in 1995.
As well as the world of sport, he was the main presenter for the National Eisteddfod for 33 years, and also presenting the Urdd Eisteddfod and Llangollen Eisteddfod from time to time; he also presented a series for learners called “Sioe Siarad “; a chat show called “Holi Hwn a’r Llall“ and then later in his career he presented the popular series “Dechrau Canu Dechrau Canmol“, for more than a decade. For his contribution to the world of broadcasting and the Welsh language he was inaugurated with the Green Robe to the Circle of the Bards in Porthmadog in 1987 and promoted to the White Robe in the Neath Eisteddfod in 1995.
He was also offered an MBE by Buckingham Palace, but he didn't accept that honour as he felt it would go against all the principles of his upbrining and his views as a Welsh nationalist. But he did receive an honorary Doctorate with pride from Cardiff University in 2007 and an honorary Degree - Doctorate in Literature from Swansea University in 2019.
As well as his broadcasting work, he was Chair of the National Eisteddfod Working Committee for Cardiff and the Vale in 2002 and again Chair of the National Eisteddfod Working Committee for Cardiff and Area in 2008. He is also now an Ambassador for Velindre Hospital, he sings in two choirs - Tâf Male Voice Choir and Hen Nodiant Pensioners Choir. He has been President of Pentyrch Rugby Club since 1999 - the village on the outskirts of Cardiff where he lives with his wife, Carol. They have one son - Rhodri Llywelyn who also works in the media and is a regular presenter on the nightly programme ”Newyddion“ on S4C.